The purposes of this article are to adequately provide for the parking needs of all uses in the Township, to reduce traffic congestion on public streets by getting parking off streets and to allow faster emergency access. The secondary purposes include minimizing development problems with neighboring uses, providing for special parking needs of handicapped drivers and providing flexibility in meeting the Townships parking problems and needs by methods such as shared parking arrangements.
A. 
Basic requirements. Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with the requirements in § 480-124 below. In all residential districts, at least one parking space shall be located behind the front building line.
B. 
Existing structures and uses. No building or use of land lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of this chapter shall be subject to the following requirements so long as the kind or extent of use is not changed so as to require additional parking.
C. 
Provision and retention of facilities. All required parking facilities shall be provided and maintained so long as the use exists which the facilities were designed to serve. Off-street parking facilities shall not be reduced in total extent except when such reduction is in conformity with this article.
D. 
Change or extension of use. Whenever a structure is altered or a use is changed or extended which increases the parking requirements of § 480-124, then the total additional parking required for the alteration, change or extension shall be provided in accordance with § 480-124.
Spaces for off-street parking shall be provided as required below:
Use
Off-Street Parking Space Requirements
Agricultural Uses
Agriculture
1 for every 200 square feet of sales area, but not less than 3 spaces
Residential Uses
Single-family dwelling units
3 for every dwelling unit
Townhouse
2 for every dwelling unit, plus 1 for every 4 dwelling units for guests
Multifamily dwellings and two-family dwellings and apartments
1 per dwelling unit for 1 bedroom units
2 per dwelling unit for 2 and 3 bedroom units, plus 1 for every dwelling unit for guests in multifamily developments
Home occupations and home professional offices
1 for every 200 square feet of space devoted to office use of home occupation, plus residential requirement
Mobile homes and mobile home parks
2 for each dwelling unit, plus 1 for every 4 dwelling units for guests in developments of 16 or more units
Community residence facilities
1 for every 2 bedrooms, plus 1 for every other 2 rooms, excluding bathrooms
Public or Private Recreational Uses
Outdoor commercial recreation
1 for every 4,000 square feet of area devoted to such use
Indoor commercial recreation
1 for every 150 square feet of gross floor area
Governmental, Institutional and Educational Uses
Auditoriums, churches, and other places of public assembly
1 for every 5 seats, plus 1 for every 150 square feet of meeting room area
Community center, library or similar use
1 for every 250 square feet of gross floor area
Continuing-care facility
1 for every dwelling unit, plus 1 for every 2 employees on the shift of greatest employment
Intermediate day-care center and group day-care center
1 for every 500 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for each adult attendant. This shall be in addition to the parking requirements of the primary use such as a school or church, if applicable.
Adult day-care center
1 for every 5 clients, plus 1 for each employee on the shift of greatest employment
Primary and secondary schools
1 for each faculty member or other full-time employee, plus 2 for each classroom, plus one for every 12 students aged 16 years or older
Recycling Facilities
  Small collection facility
2 per facility
  Standard collection facility
1 for every 500 square feet of area occupied by the facility, but in no case less than 4
  Processing facility
1 for every 750 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for every employee on the shift of greatest employment
Retail, Commercial and Other Business Uses
Retail store or shop
1 for every 200 square feet of gross floor area on the first floor and 1 for every 400 square feet of gross floor area on the second floor
Furniture or appliance store
1 for every 300 square feet of gross floor area on the first floor and 1 for every 400 square feet of gross floor area on the second floor
Convenience store
1 for every 125 square feet of gross floor area
Supermarket
1 for every 125 square feet of gross floor area
Personal service businesses such as barber shops, tailors, shoe repair, etc.
1 for every 150 square feet of gross floor area on the first floor and 1 for every 400 square feet of gross floor area on the second floor
Shopping center
1 for every 250 square feet of gross leasable floor area
Professional and other offices
1 for every 200 square feet of gross floor area
Banks, credit unions, and savings and loans
1 for every 200 square feet of gross floor area
Restaurant, sit-down
1 for every 150 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for every 2 employees on the shift of greatest employment
Restaurant with drive-through service
1 for every 75 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for every 2 employees on the shift of greatest employment
Movie theater or place of amusement
1 for every 3 seats, plus 1 for every employee on the shift of greatest employment
Health club
1 for every 100 square feet of gross floor area
Funeral home
1 for every 75 square feet of floor area in viewing rooms or parlors, plus 1 for each official funeral car, plus 2 for the resident family, plus 1 for every 2 employees exclusive of the resident family members
Hotel, motel or inn
1 for every guest room, plus 1 for every 2 full-time employees
Car wash:
Standard car wash
10 per bay for stacking, plus 4 for standing between the exit of the facility and the street, plus 1 for each employee on the greatest shift
Self-service car wash
4 per bay for stacking, plus 1 for standing between the exit of the facility and the street
Laundromat, self-service
1 for every 2 washing machines
Automobile, service and repair
2 spaces, either within or outside the structure, for every 200 square feet of floor or ground area devoted to repair or service facilities and, in addition, such space as is necessary for vehicles purchasing gasoline or being stored. In no case shall the spaces for permitted motor vehicle storage in conjunction with a service station be less than 5.
Temporary places where Christmas trees, flowers, produce and other goods are sold
1 for every 200 square feet of sales space but in no case less than 3 spaces. One parking place for every 2 employees.
Industrial and Other Related Uses
Research, development, light manufacturing and assembly
1 for every 750 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for every employee on the shift of greatest employment
Storage, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution
1 for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for every employee on the shift of greatest employment
A. 
Where a use is not specifically listed in this chapter, the Zoning Officer shall apply the standards of the most similar use listed to determine the number of parking spaces required.
B. 
If the computation of the parking ratios listed in § 480-124 of this chapter results in a fraction, an additional parking space shall be required.
C. 
All parking areas, loading areas and driveways shall be graded and surfaced with asphalt or other suitable materials to prevent dust and erosion. Such areas shall also be drained in conformance with municipal standards to prevent excessive water flow onto streets or adjoining properties.
D. 
In parking areas with four or more spaces, each space shall be clearly line-striped and maintained.
E. 
Freestanding establishments located adjacent to shopping centers or strip plazas shall have adequate parking as required in § 480-124 and will not rely on any common parking to meet the aforementioned requirements.
F. 
All parking areas with four or more spaces shall be adequately lighted so as to assist in the safe maneuvering of motor vehicles and to provide security for users of the lot. All lighting shall be arranged to avoid glare on adjacent properties.
G. 
All commercial vehicle and trailers with more than single rear wheels shall not be parked or stored in the right-of-way of a public street.
H. 
Parking or storage of disabled, partially dismantled or junk cars, trucks, boats or other vehicles shall be permitted on a lot for a continuous period of not more than seven days.
A. 
The size of standard parking space shall be 10 feet wide and 20 feet long, an area of 200 square feet.
B. 
Size and number of parking spaces for the handicapped shall be in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Code, Title 34, Chapter 60, Universal Accessibility Standards.
C. 
All parking areas for three or more vehicles shall be designed so that vehicles need not back directly into a public street but can enter and leave the parking area in forward motion.
D. 
All parking shall be accessible from a street or driveway.
E. 
Every parking lot or area with 10 or more off-street spaces shall be separated from the street or highway by a raised curb, planting strip, wall or other suitable barrier against unchanneled motor vehicle entrance or exit, except for necessary accessways or exits.
F. 
Drive-through establishments such as fast order and pickup, automatic bank teller, and similar uses shall provide not less than five waiting spaces for each drive-through lane. This is in addition to the space for the car being serviced.
G. 
Two-way aisles shall be a minimum of 22 feet wide and a maximum of 36 feet wide. One-way driveways shall be a minimum of 16 feet wide for angled parking 45°, and 22 feet wide for 90° parking.
A. 
Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent collective provision of off-street parking facilities for two or more nonresidential buildings or uses, provided that the total of such off-street parking facilities provided collectively shall be not less than the sum or requirements for the various uses compiled separately.
B. 
Two or more nonresidential uses may provide for required parking in a common parking such uses. The number of spaces required in such a common parking area may be reduced below the sum of the total requirements if it can be demonstrated to the Zoning Officer that the hours or days of peak parking demand for the uses are so different that a lower overall total of parking spaced will adequately provide for the uses to be served. In such case, sufficient parking shall be provided to meet the minimum needs of the use which requires the greater parking area.
A. 
In addition to the off-street parking spaces required in this article, any building erected, converted and/or enlarged for any nonresidential use shall provide off-street areas for loading and unloading and commercial vehicle parking spaces.
B. 
The minimum size loading space shall be 50 feet long and 12 feet wide, with an overhead clearance of 14 feet, exclusive of drives and maneuvering space, and located entirely on the lot being served. Any overhead canopy should extend a minimum of four feet beyond a loading dock.
C. 
All loading space shall have adequate access from a street or way, which does not block or interfere with the required parking as specified in § 480-124. This required space will be provided in addition to established requirements for patron and employee parking.
D. 
In no case shall public rights-of-way be used for loading or unloading of materials. Furthermore, no loading dock or space shall be located or arranged in such a way that it is necessary to back any vehicle into or off any public right-of-way or require the use of any public right-of-way for maneuvering space.
E. 
All accessory driveways and entrance way shall be graded, paved and drained to Township standards to the extent necessary to prevent nuisance of dust, erosion or excessive water flow across streets and adjoining properties.
F. 
All off-street loading berths shall be provided on either the side or rear of the lot. In no case shall off-street loading berths be provided in the front of the lot.
G. 
Such facilities shall be designed and used in such a manner so as to at no time constitute a nuisance, a hazard or an impediment to traffic.
A. 
Screening between any parking area and the street line shall be effective at the time of occupancy, subject to the following provisions:
(1) 
All off-street parking areas, which provide more than four parking spaces, shall be screened from any abutting property in a more restrictive zoning district.
(2) 
Effective screening may be accomplished through the use of the following: plant materials, fencing or walls and/or mounding through the use of an earthen berm forming a continuous visual buffer.
(3) 
The area for planting and fencing, walls or earthen berms shall not extend beyond the street line.
(4) 
When planted visual screens are employed, the following shall apply:
(a) 
A buffer planting street shall be provided. It shall be a minimum of 10 feet in width unless specifically required otherwise in this chapter.
(b) 
Planted visual screens shall be of sufficient height and density to constitute a continuous visual screen six feet in height at the time of planting except as provided below. The type and spacing of plant materials shall be subject to review and approval by the Township Supervisors.
(5) 
Whenever fencing or walls are employed, the effective height of the continuous visual buffer shall be not less than five feet or more than six feet.
(6) 
Whenever earthen berms are employed, the effective height of the continuous visual buffer shall not be less than five feet.
(7) 
In the case of a parking lot which is the main use, such lot shall be enclosed, except for entrances and exits, by an ornamental fence or wall or by a compact evergreen ridge not less than four feet high, except when the boundary of such parking lot is an adjoining building.
B. 
Landscaping within any parking area which provides 20 or more parking spaces shall be subject to the following provisions:
(1) 
Off-street parking areas shall be landscaped to reduce wind and air turbulence, heat, noise and the glare of automobile lights; to reduce the level of carbon dioxide; to provide shade; to improve stormwater drainage problems; to replenish the groundwater table; and to provide for a more attractive setting.
(2) 
Landscaped areas at least five feet wide shall be provided around the periphery of parking areas. Such areas shall, at a minimum, extend the full length and width of the parking areas, except for necessary accessways, to prevent the encroachment of moving vehicles into parking areas.
(3) 
Existing plant material and trees with a caliper of six inches or more shall be preserved wherever possible during construction. Such existing plants may be credited toward the amount of required plantings.